Igniter



C. M. FRENCH.

IGNITER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21

Patented Oct. 18, 1921.

NN N hw l l W IGNITEE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented 0013.18, 1921..

Application led March 21, 1921. Serial No. 454,139.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHAnLEs M. FRENCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Seymour, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Igniters, of which the following-is a specification.

This invention relates to igniters, and more particularly to a portable igniter wherein a pyrophoric element is employed and a scraper cr other suitable means is provided to frictionally engage the surface of the pyrophoric element and produce sparks to cause ignition of a wick arranged in proximity to the scraper.

In devices of this character previously,

used, it has been customary to provide a volatile liquid, such as gasolene, benzene, or the like, arranged in a suitable receptacle and adapted to be burned, the gasolene or other material being drawn up through the wick and ignited by the spark. These devices have not been entirely satisfactory for portable use, due to the necessity of carrying the gasolene or other liquid on the person of the user and due to the necessity of refilling the device l with gasolene at frequent intervals.

In the present invention, I have provided an igniter wherein no liquid fuel is employed, but the wick is treated with a substance to render it sufficiently ignitible to produce sufficient fire when a spark lights thereon to permit lighting of cigars, olgarettes and the like.

Various methods may be employed for treating the wick to render it sufficiently ignitible for use vin a device of this character. I have found that by soaking the wick in a cold solution of saltpeter for suiiicient time to permit the solution of saltpeter to permeate the wick, and then drying it, it is rendered suiiiciently ignitible for the purpose.

`In the present invention, I further provide means for elevating and withdrawing the wick from the container, wherein a pair of cylinders is provided, the outer cylinder hav-` ing a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal grooves arranged'on its inner face, and the inner cylinder being provided with a pair of spiral grooves. cross head or follower is mounted in the inner cylinder, and this cross head is provided with projecting lugs adapted to extend through the spiral grooves of the inner cylinder and into the in any suitable manner, is elevated orl lowered. V

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown several embodiments of the invention: In this showing:

Figure 1 is a central longitudinalsectional view of one form of the invent' n,

Fig. 2 is a detail end thereof,

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional 'view on line 3--3 of Fig. l,

Fig. 4 is a similar view on line 4--4 of perspective v one- 1, 1g. 5 is a detail perspective view of the follower or cross head,

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of another form of the invention,

Iig. 7 is a detail perspective view thereof, an

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view on line 8--8 of Fig. 6.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, the reference numeral l designates generally an outer cylinder which may be made of any suitable material. Compositions such as bakelite, phenol condensation products, hard rubber compositions, or metal may be employed. The cylinder is provided with a pair of oppositely arranged longitudinal slots 2.

n inner cylinder 3 is arranged within the cylinder 1, and the inner cylinder is provided with spiral slots 4, extending through the walls thereof. The inner cylinder is provided withl a flanged cap 5, which extends outwardly and forms a support for the'end of the outer cylinder. The upper end of the outer cylinder is threaded, as at 6, for the reception of a metal ferrule 7. When the outer cylinder is formed of metal, the ferrule may be made integral therewith. The outer end of the ferrule is curved, or tapered, as at 8, producing a/ sharpened end or lpoint 9, which serves as a scraper.

cross head or follower 10 is arranged.

cross head. As shown, these elements may be 'formed of pins, the ends of which are bent over to engage the wick, and retain it on the cross head. A wick 13 is arranged above the cross headand is adapted to be elevated and-lowered in the tube by raislng and lowering the ross head. A cap 14 1s arranged over the upper end of the outer cylinder, the interior of the cap being tapered, as' at 1,5, to retain'it in position. A

.portion-of the ca is recessed, as at 16, and

a suitable pyrop oric element 17 arranged therein. The outer 'surface of the pyrophoric element is curved, as at 18, to retain it in engagement with the scraper 9 when the cap is drawn over the scraper. i

In the form of the invention shown 1n Figs. 6 to 8 ofA the drawings, a single tube 19 is rovided'and a wick 20 arranged therein. he' tube is provided with a cap 21, having a pyrophoric `element 22, mounted thereon. The pyrophoric element may be secured to the cap in any suitable. way. As shown, a substantial channel shaped plate 23 is secured to the'cap and is adapted to receive the pyrophoric element. Theupper end of the c linder 19 is provided with a scraper 24, lsimilar to the scraper employed in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings. A cover for the pyrophoric element .is mounted on the cylinder 19. As shown, a channel shaped plate comprising a base 25 and flanges 26 is arranged over the pyrophoric element when in closed position (see Fig. 6), and the end of the base is oir-set, as at 27, to provide a portion 28 arranged along side of the cylinder and secured thereto in any suitable In the operation of the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, the wick is normally retained in the position in Fig. 1 of the drawings. When the igniter is to be used, the cover 14 is removed andthe wick elevated by revolving the inner cylinder 3. The inner cylinder may be revolved through the medium of the base plate 5, causing the follower or cross head 10 to be moved toward the upper end of the cylinders, forcing- When the wick is entirely consumed, theifolf lower block is moved to the upper end of the cylinder and a new wick attached there-fy revolving the inner cylinder in the opposite direction, the wick is drawn into? the'tube. y

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 6, to 8 of Athe drawings, the operation is essentially the same, but the wick is fed l in and `out by the user. The; portion of the wick pr'qjectin belowv the eid of. the tube 19 is grasped 1n the hand of the operator, andthe wick-forced upwardly through the tube. Therovision'of the cover 25 pref v for use as an igniter, it will have a beneficial effect on the throat and bronchial tubes of the user. When lighting cigar or cigarette, the igniter is necessarily held near the mouth and nose of the user, and to light the cigar or cigarette, it is necessary to inhale. The fumes of saltpeter drawn into the throat of the user causes relaxation of involuntary `muscular fiber, as is well known, and will thus have a direct and beneficial effect upon the throat and bronchial tubes. y

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without vdeparting from the spirit -of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim:

1. An ignlter. comprlslng a cylinder, a cross head arranged 1n said cylinder, means for raising and lowering said cross head, a.

wick arranged in said cylinder and secured to said cross head, a scraper mounted on the upper end of said cylinder, a cap removably secured on the cylinder, and a pyrophoric element mounted on said cap.

2. An igniter comprising an inner and` outer cylinder, thel inner cylinder being provided with a pair of spirally arranged slots,

/the outer cylinder being provided 'with a pair of longitudinal grooves, a cross head mounted in said inner cylinder, said cross head being provided with lugs extending through said slots and entering said grooves, said inner cylinder being rotatable to raise and lower said cross head, a wick arranged in the inner cylinder and secured to said cross head, a scraper arranged on said igniter, a cap for said cylinders, and a pyrophoric element carried by said cap.

3. An igniter comprising a cylinder, a cross head arranged in said cylinder, means for raising and lowering said cross head, a plurality of pins secured to the upper face `ots'aidcross head, a-wick arranged in said cylinder above said cross head, said pins being-adapted to engage said wick, a scra er V'm 51 m :ed' on the upper end of said cylin er, ',facapsremovably secured on said cylinder, and a`V pyrophoric element mounted on said cap.

4. An gnter comprising a cylinder, said Cylinder being provided with 2L pair of spirully arranged Slots, a cross head mounted therein, said cross head being provided with lugs extending through said slots, :L Wick .wronged in said cylinder and secured to said emes head, sind cyhnder bemg capable of rotation independently of Said cross head to rinse and lower the cross head and Wlok, a

scraper carried by said cylinder, a cap for 10 said cylinder, and a pyrophorc element oarled by Said cap.

n testimony whereof affx my sfrnature.

CHARLES M. FRECH. 

